With 100 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America, ticket prices for matches have soared dramatically, with some reaching astronomical figures on resale markets.
According to FIFA, nearly seven million tickets have been made available for the expanded 48-team tournament, which will feature 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Each person can purchase a maximum of four tickets per match and up to 40 for the entire competition.
Around two million tickets were sold during an initial lottery in October. A second sales phase in December and January attracted a record 508 million requests, FIFA said. The matches in highest demand include the Group K finale between Colombia and Portugal in Miami on June 27, co-hosts Mexico against South Korea in Guadalajara on June 18, and the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
Ticket prices for in-demand games have skyrocketed. Fan group Football Supporters Europe noted that the North American bid had initially promised tickets from as low as $21. Instead, the cheapest tickets on sale have been $60 for matches like the Group J opener between Austria and Jordan at Levi’s Stadium in California.
Most tickets cost at least $200 for matches involving leading nations. The cheapest tickets for the final start at $2,000, while the best seats are priced at $8,680. On FIFA’s official resale site, a category three seat for the final was being advertised for $143,750, over 41 times its original face value of $3,450.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the pricing, saying it reflects huge demand. “In the US in particular, there is this thing called dynamic pricing, meaning the prices will go up or down, depending on the match in question,” he said.
Following sustained criticism, FIFA announced a cheaper category of tickets at $60, but these are reserved for fans of qualified teams and make up just 10 per cent of each national federation’s allotment. FIFA has also offered packages combining match tickets with VIP lounge access. For France against Senegal in New Jersey on June 16, such packages cost between $2,900 and $4,500.
FIFA will release an unspecified number of additional tickets from April until the end of the tournament on a first-come, first-served basis. Resale platforms, including FIFA’s official site, allow resellers to determine prices themselves. The resale market is unregulated in the United States and Canada, though in Mexico, reselling above face value is prohibited only when purchased locally.
A category three seat for the opening game between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium on June 11 was recently listed at $5,324, compared to an original price of $895. Other sites like SeatGeek and StubHub offer tickets at slightly lower prices.
Traveling supporters face additional costs, including parking fees. A space for a group game in Atlanta costs $100, while parking in Los Angeles runs $300.
For fans without tickets, Fan Festivals in the 16 host cities offer an alternative. The Kansas City Fan Fest can accommodate up to 25,000 people, while New York’s US Open tennis venue at Flushing Meadows will host a fan zone for up to 10,000 visitors from June 17 to 28.
